Anheuser-Busch to take caffeine out of Tilt, Bud Extra

Anheuser-Busch Inc. will stop producing caffeinated alcohol beverages under an agreement reached with attorneys general in 11 states, including New York, said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said today.

The brewer's agreement follows an investigation that showed the company was illegally marketing the beverages to young people, Cuomo said in a prepared statement.

The company denied that allegation in the agreement and said it complied with all regulations in making and marketing the beverages.

Under the agreement, Anheuser-Busch will reformulate its Tilt malt beverage and Bud Extra beer to remove caffeine and guarana, a caffeine-bearing berry, company officials said.

The company also will pay $200,000 to be split among the participating states to cover investigation costs and to be used for public programs, Cuomo said.

The agreement will have no impact on the company's Baldwinsville brewery, which makes Tilt, officials at Anheuser-Busch's St. Louis headquarters said. Production of the original brews has ceased while remaining stocks sell off store shelves. Reformulated versions will become available once the old stock is sold, which could take several weeks, officials said.